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The largest private sector coalition to provide sustainable solutions to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has made strides in 2018 and calls for a coordinated and multi-pronged response from all stakeholders

The largest private sector coalition to provide sustainable solutions to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has made strides in 2018 and calls for a coordinated and multi-pronged response from all stakeholders

12 November 2018, Geneva The Alliance is the largest private sector coalition to provide sustainable solutions to curb AMR, with over 100 biotech, diagnostics, generics and research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations joining forces to drive and measure the life-science industry’s progress in the fight against AMR. On the occasion of the World Antibiotic Awareness Week the Alliance repeats its pledge to address the threat of AMR and acknowledges that these global milestones keep the momentum going on raising awareness among policy-makers, healthcare professionals and the general public on what actions and solutions are needed to keep effective antibiotics in the medicines toolbox. It hopes that more will join the Alliance in moving beyond statements of intent and take concrete action to address AMR.

In recognition that AMR could force us back to a time when people feared common infections and minor surgery could prove fatal, the life-science industry has responded by creating the AMR Industry Alliance. “It is unique in that the companies have committed to walk the talk together and report on their progress. It is the first industry-wide grouping of this scale that has been set up to respond to the AMR emergency” explains Thomas Cueni, chair of the Alliance. “The Alliance hopes to unlock new ways of thinking, and the diverse membership allows us to think outside the box and formulate a range of creative and sustainable solutions to AMR. But the full impact of the life-science industry’s efforts can only be made through collaborations with governments and other public health players. We call for a coordinated and multi-pronged response from all stakeholders” he added.

Its first progress report was crucial in demonstrating the group’s desire to be accountable. The data and case studies collected in the report provide unique insights into the practical steps companies are taking to respond to AMR. The report presents data on AMR-relevant products, including therapeutic agents or technologies that have the potential to treat or prevent infectious diseases and/or combat resistance, including but not limited to antibiotics, vaccines, diagnostics, and novel approaches to address AMR. The report findings point to the need to further break down traditional silos across the life-science value chain. There is a need for integrated deployment of vaccines and medicines, diagnostics, antibiotics and other therapies to address the multiple challenges across the continuum of care – from prevention, monitoring and screening to treatment.

Key findings included that 22 Alliance companies invested at least USD 2 billion in R&D dedicated to AMR-related products, up to four times more than government commitment on pledges. Notwithstanding these data, all experts agree that it is nowhere near sufficient to address the urgent need for new antibiotics.

Companies have widely acknowledged that more R&D is needed and call for more incentives to close the antimicrobial innovation gap. These incentives should be sustainable and sufficient to stimulate R&D across the full R&D lifecycle, from discovery through development, to see an impactful long-term change on the pipeline of new products. The Alliance advocates for more collaboration between governments and the private sector to explore novel ways to stimulate future investments for innovation.

With regards to the Alliance’s manufacturing and environment commitments, considerable progress has being made. In September 2018, the Alliance launched the common antibiotic manufacturing framework that provides the methodology and best practices to conduct manufacturing sites risk assessments and promotes responsible antibiotic manufacturing. A few months later, in September 2018, the Alliance publically shared the first list of discharge concentrations. These science-driven, risk-based targets are intended to be protective of ecological resources and lower the potential for the evolution and selection of AMR in the environment. This publication is an important step in the journey as companies work toward achieving these target values. Effective management of the presence of antibiotics in waste streams/the environment require a multi-stakeholder collaboration to address all sources of antibiotics in the environment (e.g. agricultural and animal use, patient use, manufacturing) and the Alliance members intend to collaborate with relevant stakeholders.

About the AMR Industry Alliance

The AMR Industry Alliance is one of the largest private sector coalitions set up to provide sustainable solutions to curb antimicrobial resistance, with over 100 biotechnology, diagnostics, generics and research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations joining forces. It facilitates collaboration, reports on industry’s contribution to the fight against AMR and engages with external stakeholders. Member companies have committed to walk the talk together and report on their progress on four key areas: research and science, access, appropriate use, manufacturing and the environment. In January 2018, the AMR Industry Alliance released its first Progress Report.

AMR Industry Alliance Website
AMR Industry Alliance First Progress Report
AMR Industry Alliance Case Studies

date 12/11/2018